Ahead of the Autumn Budget, motorists are being shown ways to cut down on petrol costs and save themselves over £400 a year. Savings experts have crunched the numbers for budget-conscious Brits to help cut back on car costs.
Petrol prices have fallen to a three-year low, but with the Autumn budget taking place at the end of October, changes to fuel duty could impact pump prices.
Some simple tweaks to driving style and car maintenance could make all the difference.
Driving economically, reducing car weight and even keeping a car clean can improve efficiency and reduce fuel costs.
Drivers should also be aware that running low on fuel comes with a hefty fine. Although not illegal, letting fuel run out could result in a £100 minimum fine for obstructing the road in an avoidable breakdown and runs the risk of damaging the fuel tank, pump and filter system.
Ian Wilson, Managing Director at Tiger.co.uk, said: “Although petrol costs recently fell to a three-year low, the fuel duty cut implemented in March 2022 may not be continued following the October budget. This could mean households are even more out of pocket when trying to keep up with monthly bills, so hunting for savings is essential.
“Whether the fuel duty cut is made or not, keeping costs down is a priority for many households across the UK, and there are savings to be had with some straight-forward tweaks to how we drive and how we treat our cars – even keeping it clean, clear of clutter and with properly inflated tyres can make a difference.
“We wanted to share some tips which should help motorists reduce costs. We all know cars can be expensive to run, but making simple changes to your driving habits can create savings.”
Tiger tips on how to save:
1. Drive Economically – Save £98 Per Year
Adapting your driving to be more economical can help reduce your weekly fuel costs by 10%—using smooth and controlled braking, changing into a higher gear more quickly, and reducing cruising speeds can all help save fuel.
2. Plan Out Lower Cost Petrol Stations – Save £120 a Year
You could save over £100 just by checking ahead and stopping at cheaper petrol stations—apps are available to help you find and plan the most affordable spots.
3. Reduce Vehicle Weight – Save £22 a Year
Overloading your car is a big no-go when it comes to fuel efficiency. Every additional 45kg your car carries reduces fuel economy by 2%. Simply driving with an empty roof box or keeping your boot full of clutter can drain your fuel.
4. Wash Your Car – Save £58 a Year
If you drive the UK average of 6,000 miles a year, you could save a minimum of £58 per year just by keeping your car clean. This is because your car’s cleanliness impacts how aerodynamic it is. Little to no debris on your vehicle means it can travel much more efficiently.
5. Boost Your Fuel Economy – Save £126 a Year
Ensuring your tyres are correctly inflated and in good working order could boost your fuel economy by up to 3%. Reducing the heat and air conditioning could also add a further 10% – meaning you get more miles out of every gallon of fuel.
Driving Savings Tips |
How Much You Could Save |
Calculation |
Savings Per Year |
| Drive economically | 10% fuel savings off your weekly bill | Average spend is £18.90 a week on petrol, 10% saving is £1.89 a week x 52 weeks [ref 1a] | £98 |
| Plan out petrol stops to cheaper garages | Average saving of £6 a tank UK average (£118 total saving / 19 UK regions = £6.2) | Average 300 miles per full tank, 6000 miles a year. That’s 20 full tanks x 6 [ref 2] | £120 |
| Reduce vehicle weight | For every additional 45kg your car carries, you’re reducing fuel economy by 2% | New fuel economy, 6000 miles / 35.28 mpg = 170g x 6.57 per gallon = £1117 – £1095 = £22[ref 3] | £22 |
| Wash your car | Can boost the fuel economy by two miles per gallon (mpg) by improving aerodynamics | Average is 6000 miles a year (£1095 for 36mpg VS £1037 for 38mpg) [ref 4] | £58 |
| Increase fuel economy | Potential savings on fuel efficiency:
Up to 3% saving on properly inflated tyres Up to 10% by reducing heating/AC |
= potential fuel consumption savings of 13% – travelling 13% further on the same petrol, that’s up to 11.5% (13/113) less fuel – savings on annual fuel cost at £1095 [ref 1b & ref 5] | £126 |
Potential Savings Total |
|
|
£424 |
Comments are closed.